4 Natural Beauty Recipes Inspired by Cleopatra

Milk & Honey Bath

It is thought that Cleopatra kept her skin looking flawless by bathing in donkey milk mixed with honey. Of course, we aren’t suggesting that you buy a couple of donkeys and milk them for your daily bath. Regular store-bought cow milk will do, and you won’t even need a whole bath of it.

Make your own milk and honey bath with this bath mix that consists of milk, honey, Dead Sea salt, almond oil and rose oil. Milk and honey will provide your skin with proteins, vitamins and other nutrients, making it super soft and smooth. Dead Sea salt is a rich source of minerals. Almond oil helps lock in moisture and prevents flaky skin, while rose oil gives the bath an amazing smell.

Mix 3 cups of milk, 1 cup of honey (preferably organic), 5 tbsp of almond oil, 1 tbsp of Dead Sea salt and several drops of rose oil. Pour the mixture into your bathtub, immerse yourself and relax, letting the natural ingredients soak into your skin.

Rose Water as a Facial Toner

Rose water is one of the oldest cosmetic products. It used to be made by steeping rose petals in water, but most of the rose water today is a by-product of the rose oil production. Rose water is used as a natural fragrance and moisturizer. In addition, it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which make it a good remedy for some skin conditions such as acne, eczema and rosacea.

To keep your skin looking young, fresh and glowing (just like Cleopatra’s), try using rose water as a facial toner. Use it twice a day, in the morning and evening, after cleansing your skin to make it super soft and smooth.

Aloe Vera Leaf Juice as a Moisturizer

Aloe vera is a succulent plant species originating from the Arabian Peninsula, which is located not so far from Egypt. Its thick, fleshy leaves contain a considerable amount of phytochemical-rich juice. Aloe vera juice has long been used in skincare as a moisturizing, soothing and healing agent. Some claim that Cleopatra used it, too.

Aloe vera is considered a great moisturizer for all skin types. The easiest way to use aloe vera for moisturizing is to buy some pure aloe vera gel and use it instead of (or alongside) your regular moisturizer. If your skin needs deep hydrating treatment try mixing aloe vera gel with some honey. Honey will nourish your skin as well as combat microbes, reducing the chances of infections and acne breakouts. Unlike pure aloe gel, aloe and honey face pack needs to be rinsed off.

Kaolin Facial Mask

Another natural treatment that was allegedly used by Cleopatra is kaolin, also known as white clay. This clay is a great absorbent that helps detox and balance the skin, normalizes sebum secretion, prevents shiny complexion and clogged pores. Try this Cleopatra-inspired kaolin face pack for smooth and glowing skin! Along with white clay, it contains two more of the queen’s favorite skincare ingredients, milk and honey.

Mix 3 tbsp of white clay, 2 tbsp of milk, 1 tbsp of honey and several drops of olive oil (or any other cosmetic oil you prefer). Stir well until you get a smooth, lump-free paste. Apply the mask to your face and neck, let it sit for about 10–15 minutes (or until the mask gets dry and starts to crack). Rinse the mixture off and moisturize.